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Apr 28, 2026
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2026-2027 Graduate Catalog
Nursing Education and Administration, Ph.D. (60 hrs)
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Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing Education and Administration program is a terminal degree designed to prepare nurse scholars as researchers, educators, and administrators. Graduates are prepared to conduct research, steward the profession of nursing, and assume leadership roles in institutions of higher learning and healthcare systems. The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in two or three years, including summer terms. Students may attend on a full-time or part-time basis, but must complete all required work within 6 years. The total number of hours required is 60. The program is offered in an online format with 2 in-person on-campus intensive experiences. Program delivery will be conducted via the Canvas learning management system. The dissertation process will begin in the fall term and include five semesters. The research courses help the student design the essential components of a dissertation. Each student will have a committee of four Ph.D. program faculty members. There will be a written comprehensive examination to determine mastery of the Ph.D. content. The faculty reserves the right to make curricular changes to maintain standards consistent with the changing needs of society and of the profession. Program Admission Requirements
To be admitted as a regular student, the applicant must: - Submit a completed application to the William Carey University graduate program
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Submit a 1-2 page scholarly narrative on a personal philosophy of nursing education and goals.
- Submit a current curriculum vita.
- Submit three recommendations: two from individuals who can attest to research and scholarship ability and one personal reference (the reference form will be emailed to the references entered in the online application).
- Submit a completed criminal background history attestation. The required criminal background check will be completed at orientation and must result as clear of specific violations.
- Have earned an M.S.N. from an accredited school of nursing.
- Have earned a GPA of > 3.0 on M.S.N. courses.
- Have an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license with no pending legal or state board action (unencumbered license must be maintained throughout program enrollment).
- Be eligible to re-enter any previously attended college or university in good standing. If previously enrolled in a Ph.D. program, the applicant must provide a letter of good standing from that program.
- Demonstrate computer literacy involving proficiency in word processing, email correspondence, and the Internet.
Transfer Credit Policy Transfer credit is available for any student. A maximum of 15 hours may be transferred from another university. Approval of transfer hours is considered on an individual basis. The student must apply for transfer credit to the program coordinator prior to the first term in the nursing program. Master’s level credit cannot be accepted for doctoral level courses. Transfer credit cannot be received for NUR 7980 , NUR 8060 , NUR 8070 , NUR 8080 , NUR 8090 , and NUR 8100 . Refer to the university’s graduate transfer requirements for more information. Program Progression Requirements
Successful progression through the program requires the following: - Demonstrate competency in teaching, learning, and student evaluation based on meeting one of the criteria prior to taking courses within the program: (1) MSN in nursing education, (2) experience in nursing education, (3) teaching/learning/evaluation nursing education graduate-level courses, or (4) NUR 7060 Teaching Strategies and Evaluation of Student Learning
- Demonstrate competency of scholarly writing prior to taking courses within the program through one of the following options: (1) submission of a GRE Analytical Writing Score of > 4.0 within the last five years; (2) passing NUR 7990 Academic Writing for Doctoral Students with a minimum grade of ‘B’ prior to taking courses in the program.
- Demonstrate basic competency in statistics as evidenced by (1) a grade of A or B in an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course within the past 10 years or (2) substantial experience in nursing research projects prior to taking NUR 7970 Advanced Research Methods and Designs and NUR 8000 Statistics
- Complete all assignments with a passing grade. All courses must be completed with no grade below a ‘B’.
- See Academic Regulations in this catalog for additional information regarding minimum course grades and GPA requirements.
- Any student who makes an ‘F’ in a Ph.D. course will be dismissed from the program and be ineligible to readmit.
- Student grades will be reviewed at the end of each term by department leadership to determine status in achieving the GPA necessary to progress.
- The student must successfully complete NUR 7970 , NUR 7980 , NUR 8000 , NUR 8060 , NUR 8070 , NUR 8080 , and NUR 8090 in sequence.
- The student will be admitted to doctoral candidacy upon successful completion of the comprehensive examination and the dissertation final defense.
- The student must successfully complete a dissertation.
Program of Study (60 hrs)
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